Neonatal Program

Taking neonatology to the next level

At Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, our neonatology program provides clinical expertise and compassionate care for more than 1,900 newborns each year. That's more than any other program in the Upper Midwest. But don't just take our word for it.

We're the largest high-risk neonatal referral center in the Upper Midwest. In other words, parents and health experts across the region trust us to deliver top-notch care for babies who arrive early or with unique needs.

Start tiny. End up mighty

Septuplets. Preemies weighing less than 1 pound. Babies with cardiac failure. Neonatology experts at Children's navigate the most complex births and treat the tiniest and sickest newborns. We've seen it all. And we're proud to have some of the highest survival rates and lowest complication rates in the world.

We combine the highest level of medical care available with comfortable surroundings and a family-centered philosophy to help babies heal.

Here's why we lead the pack:

A league of experts. All together, there are more than 500 experts from Children's, Minnesota Neonatal Physicians and Associates in Newborn Medicine on your side. At the helm are neonatologists — pediatric doctors specially trained in babies' complicated, high-risk needs. They're joined by neonatal nurse practitioners, advanced practice nurses, registered nurses, pediatric pharmacists, respiratory therapists, dietitians and other care professionals.

Collaboration improves care. That's why Children's works closely with doctors throughout the region. If they have questions about a baby, we can consult. If a baby needs to be transported, we are able to coordinate air and ground transport from their hospital to Children's. We do this for more than 500 babies annually.

Size matters. Our neonatal program is the biggest in the state. It's also one of the largest in the U.S. with 171 beds between our Minneapolis and St. Paul campuses and special care nursery within The Mother Baby Center. Our patients may be tiny, but we provide them all with private rooms and tranquility so they can grow to become mighty. And we offer the highest level of neonatal intensive care available.

Keeping moms in mind. Children's joined forces with Abbott Northwestern Hospital to create The Mother Baby Center. The center merges Abbott Northwestern's fetal and maternal services with Children's neonatal and pediatric specialty care — all under one roof. Plans are underway to build a similar Mother Baby Center in Coon Rapids and also in St. Paul, where our clinical care teams have collaborated for years.

Three steps ahead. We actively participate in new research trials so we can help more babies go home healthy. Some of the most important discoveries in neonatal care, from treatments for breathing problems to brain damage, were tested at Children's before they were adopted around the world. For instance, Children's was an early adopter of kangaroo care a technique where parents hold newborns skin-to-skin to help premature babies develop. Now, kangaroo care is standard practice across the nation. And, doctors at Children's are recognized internationally for their ongoing work with specialized ventilation techniques, such as high-frequency ventilation and less invasive forms of ventilation.

You're the expert, and we know it. At Children's, we realize that parents know their babies best of all. We involve parents in every discussion about their little one's care. What's more, our family-centered approach includes space for parents to spend the night and a supervised play area for siblings.

Read on to learn more about the types of care we provide and the great outcomes we're so proud of at Children's.

Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota collaborates with a team of doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses and more to provide expert care to kids. See profiles for all the all-star doctors and nurse practitioners in the neonatology program.

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Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Contributions to the Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Our tax identification number is 41-1814223.